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It’s been something of an open secret of the influencer industry: all too often, paid posts on social media are camouflaged as genuine recommendations.
But after stricter rules were introduced to the Australian Association of National Advertisers’ code of ethics in February, social media figures who flaunt products or services – think anything from make-up and clothing to cars and holidays – must now be upfront about any commercial arrangements, whether paid or given for free.
Rozalia Russian (left) and Anna Heinrich are the first influencers to be pinged by Australia’s advertising watchdog.
Credit:Instagram
The advertising watchdog, Ad Standards, has found two influencer posts within two weeks to be in breach for not clearly disclosing an ad with hashtags like #Ad or the words “paid partnership”.